Pakistan look set to comfortably meet the government's target for mango exports this season after fruit traders in the country reported that shipments have doubled so far this season compared with the same period of 2008.

According to a report in the Daily Times, the country has exported approximately 30,000 tonnes of the fruit so far in 2009, compared with the 15,000 tonnes exported last year, leaving the country well on track to hit the overall target of 125,000 tonnes.

However, exporters feel that the government has been conservative in setting the bar too low, particularly as the overall crop is forecast at 1.6m-1.8m tonnes, and that a lack of marketing overseas has hindered sales.

The major export varieties currently include Sindhri and Chaunsa from Sindh, with Chaunsa from Punjab entering international markets at the beginning of July.